A/N: I am so sorry for the late update. The hard drive on my computer died, so I lost everything and had to retype it. And for those of you waiting on chapter 10 of Balance, I have to rewrite that one from scratch, so it will be a little while longer. Thankfully, I wrote this one out on paper, so it wasn't that much effort (just finding time to swipe my mom's work computer xP).

Anyway, here's the next chapter for Spirited Away. Hopefully it's worth the wait.

Chapter 2

Meeting

~oOo~

T

Toph was woken up by the sound of knocking on the door.

"Please forgive the intrusion, my Lady," said a timid servant girl as she opened the large mahogany doors and bowed. "But General Iroh has requested the presence of your Highness and Firelord Zuko for lunch by the turtle-duck pond. He says you both must be hungry after missing breakfast."

The young Fire Lady groggily sat up in bed, her hair a tangled mess. "Zuko didn't eat?"

"Um, yes, my Lady…I mean, no, my Lady, he didn't."

"That idiot," Toph muttered, throwing the silk sheet off of her. "I told him no leading a country until he's eaten first. But no, he always 'forgets' because he's too busy," she mumble under he breath. Toph was quite aware of how much she was complaining in front of the servant, but she didn't care. She was feeling particularly sick this morning. "Where is he anyway? He was supposed to have woken me up by now."

"Actually, my Lady, we were hoping you knew of his location," the girl said nervously.

"What do you mean?"

"No one has seen the Firelord all morning, ma'am."

Swinging her legs around and placing her feet on the floor, Toph told her, "I'll find him…"

Strange, she couldn't "see" him at all; he wasn't in the palace. She did see something out of place, though. This normally wouldn't have bothered the messy teen, but the misplaced item was in their bedroom. Sitting in a corner of the room on the floor was a small metal… something that hadn't been there when the pair had gone to bed last night.

It was about the size of Zuko's hand, but was very thin, only a few centimeters thick. Inside held many smaller metal parts that Toph had never seen before.

"What is it, my Lady?" the servant girl asked, noticing the confused look on Toph's face.

"There's something…" She trailed off, tentatively making her way towards the object. Praying it wasn't some sort of explosive device, Toph knelt down and picked the item up off the floor, nearly dropping it as the metal parts began to move inside.

She jumped a bit as the other girl squeaked in surprise right next to her.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"There's something glowing on top of it," the servant answered, clearly frightened by what she saw. "It…it looks like a…like a face."

Before Toph could respond, a deep voice emanated from the device in her hand. "I'm sure that by now, you have started to wonder where your precious Firelord is," inquired the voice. "But fear not. He is safe and sound here with me." There was a pause, in which something caused the servant girl to gasp. "That is," it continued, "as long as he does what I ask of him. If not, you can kiss your world good-bye. If Zuko disobeys my orders, or if any of you attempt to rescue him –which I highly doubt you will- I will send an army to invade your entire planet so fast, it will make your heads spin. Not to mention his own life will be forfeit as well. But who knows? If he behaves, he might be allowed to return home in time to see the birth of his child. If not, well, for your sakes, let's hope it doesn't come to that." With that, the voice ended, the insides of the metal box stilling once again.

"Zuko," Toph started, trying her best to keep the fear out of her voice. "Did you see him?"

"Y-yes, my Lady, he was there."

"Well? What did he look like? Was he okay?" Being blind normally didn't bother Toph. She was actually glad to have been born this way; it had made her the bender she was today. But there were times when she absolutely hated not being able to see. This was one of those times.

"I saw not injuries," the girl answered. "But he appeared to be unconscious, ma'am. And he was…"

"What? He was what?"

"Strapped…to a metal…table."

Toph let this all sink in, still finding it hard to believe someone had kidnapped her husband with her right there. She knew Zuko. He would have put up a fight; would've woken her up so she could help –well, not so much since she'd told him she was pregnant, but he would have tried to get her out of there at least. Something must have happened.

"Go get Iroh," the Fire Lady ordered. "Tell him to hurry."

~oOo~

R

Robin wasn't happy. He was always annoyed when someone decided to cross the line into thievery, having done it himself a few times, but when someone stole from billionaire, Bruce Wayne, he couldn't help but take it personal. Bruce was his adopted father, after all. Though none of his teammates knew this little tidbit of information. Robin had left his Dick Grayson persona back in Gotham, and he intended to keep it that way.

He sped through the streets of Jump City on his R-Cycle, Cyborg and Beast Boy following close behind in the T-Car. Starfire and Raven soared over buildings up above.

"Man, Wayne Industries has the best security there is. Who could possibly break in there?" asked Cyborg over the communicator.

"I'm not sure," Robin answered. "Whoever they are, they've got incredible stealth to be able to make it in there at all."

"I guess we'll find out when we get there," Beast Boy added.

Within minutes they arrived at the hue building. Starfire flew down and grabbed Robin's wrists, while BB transformed into a pterodactyl and picked up Cyborg in his massive claws. Together they all flew to the area of the skyscraper that had been broken-in to.

They moved quickly and quietly through the building. The double doors blocking their path were enveloped in dark energy as Raven ripped them off their hinges to reveal a slender figure standing in the middle of the room.

"You know," the man, said, "it really was nice of Mr. Wayne to start experiments on xenothium. He has quite the supply here."

"Red X," Robin growled, angry at himself for creating the suit, and at the thief who stole it from his vault and was now using it to steal from Bruce. "Titans go!"

Before the group could charge at him, X lifted a hand to his belt. "I'd love to stick around and catch up on old times, but I've gotta run," he said, saluting. With the press of a button, he was gone; vanished into thin air.

"Why do they always do that?" Beast Boy whined.

Robin cursed and threw his fist into the nearby wall, startling the others.

Starfire stepped towards him. "Robin?"

"Search the city," he ordered, eyes narrowed in anger. "Find him and get that xenothium back."

He was going to have to have a talk with Bruce later; ask him just what he was thinking when he sent that large supply of the unstable substance to Jump.

"Star, you take the North part of town," Robin started. "Raven, the South. Cyborg, you take the East, and Beast Boy check the West."

"What about you?" Raven asked.

"I'll be searching every place you guys don't."

~oOo~

Z

He was confused to say the least. After going through all the trouble to kidnap him, Slad had just…kicked him out. This would have been fine with the young Firelord –there was no way Zuko would want to stay in the clutches of that weirdo- but now he was completely and hopelessly lost in a strange world that was cluttered with huge buildings and odd machines lining streets made of some type of black rock. Toph would know what kind it was, but Zuko hadn't a clue.

He was thankful the man had at least given him some clothes to wear. Even in another world, he was sure he would get quite a few strange looks if he went running around in nothing but knee-high trousers.

Zuko guessed the clothes were simple in this place, but they took some getting used to for a man who spent the majority of his life wearing heavy Fire Nation armor. He was given a close-fitting black top that Slade had called a "T-shirt" and dark blue pants called "jeans". After wearing boots his entire life, Zuko found the "tennis shoes" quite uncomfortable, as they only came up to his ankles. He was also given a stretchy band to tie back his long hair into a ponytail that went down to the middle of his back. A few stray hairs fell across the large scar on the left side of his face.

Not wanting to draw unnecessary attention to himself, Zuko kept his pace at a jog, hoping to appear as a regular person out on a late evening run. He prayed people of this world did that.

Being a nation filled with Firebenders, Fire Nation citizens rarely were out after dark –with the exception of festivals and the occasional drunkard here and there on their way home from the tavern- but it was a common activity among the Water Tribes, who's benders got their strength from the Moon.

Zuko came to a stop after several minutes to catch his breath and try to get an idea of where he was. After years at sea, the Firelord was excellent at directions. Disappointment settled in as he gazed up at what little bit of stars he could see, realizing the constellations were different than they were at home. And just his luck, it was a new moon tonight. He would have to find another way to navigate his way around this place.

Maybe he could ask for directions. But where would he go? He didn't know anything about this place; let alone what its monuments were called. Then again, he could at least ask where he was. It was a start.

Zuko scanned the area…

Nothing. How was it a place this big had no people around?

There. As his eyes passed over an alley, he caught a glimpse of a figure standing in the shadows. Now, Zuko was no fool. A person dwelling in the darkness in the middle of the night was normally up to no good; he had done it a few times himself when he had been trying to capture Aang, and even once with Katara after he had joined Team Avatar –that had become the official name of the young group of war heroes, thanks to Sokka. Zuko was pretty sure the same rule applied in this world as well.

He walked toward the figure with confident steps. Zuko had no doubts he could take this person should they try to attack him, he was the Firelord, had helped take down his sister, and his best friend was the most powerful being in the world. Well, his world.

As he neared, Zuko gasped at what he saw. The person was dressed like Slade. And it wasn't just one. There were at least six others behind them, all identical to the first. Dozens more lined the surrounding rooftops on either side. He could tell none of them where human; could feel the energy racing through them, as if their blood were lightning.

Knowing he couldn't take them all, Zuko sent a massive fireball towards the creatures in front of him. Hoping that caused enough of a destraction, he sprinted back out of the alley, running in a random direction in an attempt to lose his pursuers.

He just hoped he didn't get himself lost in the process.

Zuko was still running after what felt like hours. It wouldn't be too much longer until the Sun rose, a few hours at the most; giving him some much needed energy. He just hoped he lasted that long.

Seeing nothing as he glancing behind him, the Firelord paused in his mad dash. He leaned up against a building in an alleyway, trying to catch his breath and ease the stitch in his side. As he stood there, panting heavily, he felt an eerie presence right behind him. He turned and came face to mask with the last person he wanted to see right now.

"What was the point of letting me go if you were just going to try to capture me again, Slade?"

"My dear boy," Slade said in an amused voice. "Who said I was letting you go? The mission I have for you will take time. The Titans are stronger than they appear. You will need surprise on your side if you wish to defeat them."

I don't wish to defeat them, Zuko thought angrily. I just want to go home. "So, what? You're saying I need to ambush them?"

"Yes, but it's not as simple as merely getting the jump on them. You'll need to fight them one on one. To be able to separate them from the rest of the team, you need to-"

"Gain their trust," Zuko interrupted. "You want me to get these people to trust me enough to be alone with me, then you want me to kill them."

Slade put his arms behind his back. "You catch on fast, Zuko." He stepped toward the young man, causing his whole body to tense. "Good. I expect satisfactory results from you. Otherwise, I can't guarantee the safety of your home world, are we clear?"

"…Yes."

"Do not fail me."

Before Zuko could react, Slade sent a kick into his stomach that sent him skittering out of the alley and across the street, where he landed in a heap on the stone walkway.

Glancing up, Zuko managed to see Slade disappear into the shadows, only to be replaced by a dozen of his minions.

~oOo~

St

She could understand why Robin was upset, but Starfire didn't like seeing him so angry. Red X had always been a touchy subject, but the alien girl sensed there was something else causing the Boy Wonder's temper to flair like it was.

As she soared over the tall buildings of Jump City, movement down below caught her attention, jerking her out of her thoughts. Starfire watched in horror as a young man, maybe a couple years older than Cyborg, went flying across the street before skidding to a halt on the sidewalk. Seconds later, emerging from the alley the man had just cam from, at least twelve Sladebots appeared, glaring at the form double over, clutching his stomach in pain.

Red X would have to wait. She sped toward the road, throwing starbolts at the unsuspecting robots, managing to take out about half of them. Truthfully, if felt way too easy to destroy them, but she rationalized it as shoddy craftsmanship on Slade's part.

"Please," she asked, landing in front of the young man. "You are undamaged?"

"I've been through worse," he answered as he rose to his feet.

Judging from the large scar on his face, she had no doubt this was true. Before Starfire could respond, the man punched his fist at the nearest Sladebot, sending a fireball into its face that knocked its head clean off. The robot's neck sparked, then the whole thing fell to the ground, lifeless.

The girl stood in shock as he rushed toward another Sladebot, leaped in the air, and did a flip that rivaled that of Robin's acrobatic skills before bringing his heel down on its head. The metal man burst into flames, sending robot pieces flying through the air. He quickly spun around, his fiery fist connecting with the face of another Sladebot.

Starfire was shaken out of her reverie when the man, distracted by two of the robots attacking his front, received a kick in hi back by the remaining bot powerful enough to knock him to the ground. The air appeared to have been knocked out of his lungs from the impact. She bolted forward and grabbed the head of the Sladebot and ripped its head from its shoulders, an easy feat for a person from Tamaran. Glancing at the fallen form, Starfire threw a starbolt at the robot preparing to kick him.

"Thanks," the man muttered, rising to his feet. He scanned the area and frowned. "Where the other…?"

Before Star could react, he rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a laser blast coming from across the street. He then began making a strange movement; his middle and pointer fingers extended, he moved his arms in a graceful circular motion. Sparks began emanating from his fingertips before he thrust out one hand, shooting a stream of lightning directly into the Sladebot.

Starfire stared at the man in awe. "Who are you?" She asked.

"My name is Zuko," he answered, his voice prideful and confident, though his eyes showed wariness. "And you are?"

Before she could answer, the Titan's communicator hooked on her belt chirped loudly. Flipping it open, the alien girl was met with the face of Robin, the other three Titans quickly following.

"Titans, report," ordered the team's leader.

"Nothin' on my end," replied Cyborg.

"No sign of Red X here either," said Raven.

"Dude, remind me again why you added teleportation to that belt," Beast Boy whined.

"I haven't found anything either." There was a moment of silence as Robin awaited a response from the red-haired girl and ignored the green-skinned boy. "Star?"

Starfire glaned at Zuko, who was eying her communicator with wide eyes, then answered, "I have been unable to locate the Red X, but I have discovered someone who may be of interest to you, friend Robin".

Confused, Robin asked, "What? Who?"

"He was being chased by the bots of Slade," she answered, not at all surprised by the gasps of her teammates. "He says he is called Zuko."

"Zuko?" Beast Boy asked. "Like, as in Danny Zuko?" There was an awkward silence, then, "what? Rita made me watch it with her when I was part of the Doom Patrol…Shut-up! Grease was a good movie!"

"Whatever you say, man," Cyborg laughed.

Ignoring the laughter of his friends, Robin said, "Keep an eye on him, Star. We'll be there as soon as we can".

"You wish for me to…put my eye on him?"

"It's a figure of speech…Just make sure he doesn't try to run off. Titans, move out."

~oOo~

Cy

He arrived at Starfire's location shortly after Robin. BB had morphed into a hawk and flown to the destination, while Raven had simply used her black magic to transport herself, leaving the two flightless teens to make their way there in their respective vehicles. Cyborg parked his T-Car next to Robin's R-Cycle and together they walked over to the rest of the group, who was standing around a pale-skinned young man with long raven-hair as he sat on the curb, hand clutching his stomach.

"So this is the guy?" Cyborg asked as he and Robin approached them.

Zuko stood and bowed, hand over fist, much like Robin did when he sparred. Recognizing the gesture, the Boy Wonder returned the bow.

"Why was Slade chasing you?" He asked, getting straight to business as he stood back up.

"He was holding me captive," Zuko answered. "But I…I escaped."

Robin's eyes narrowed. "So he kidnapped you." Zuko nodded. "Why would he do that? Is he wanting another apprentice?"

The young man fidgeted a bit before replying. "I don't know. I got out of there as soon as I could."

"Hold up," Cyborg cut in. "It takes all five of us to whoop Slade's psychotic butt. And not even Robin can get away from that guy –no offence, man- so how did you manage you escape?"

"You used your fire, yes?" Starfire answered before Zuko could respond.

"His fire?" Raven asked.

The young man lifted his hand, palm up, and a small amount of fire sprang to life, dancing, peacefully in the center.

Beast Boy stared, wide eyed. "Dude. How did you do that? Are you an alien, or a metahuman, or what?"

"A what?" Zuko asked, clearly confused. "It's just Firebending…"

"You…bend fire?" I did not know fire was a bendable substance," said Starfire.

Zuko sighed. "Don't tell me there're no benders in this world."

"What do you mean 'this world'?" asked the Titan leader.

"I thought so," Rave said. At the other's questioning stares, she clarified. "I can feel something different inside him; like a huge flow of energy that's centered in his stomach and courses through the rest of his body. It's unlike anyone in this world, other planets included. He's from a different world."

"The energy is call the Sea of Chi," Zuko informed them. "It's what gives benders their power."

"Wait, so there are more of you?" Beast Boy asked.

Zuko nodded. "I don't know how it is here, but where I come from, there are four nations: Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, Water Tribes, and Air Nomads."

"Countries named after the major elements?" Cyborg asked, eyebrow raised.

"In each nation, there are people, benders, who can control their country's element. There are Firebenders, like me, Earthbenders, and Waterbenders."

"What about Airbenders?" Robin asked, noticing the man left out an element.

Zuko scowled. "There's only one left, thanks to my great-grandfather." He smirked then. "But there'll be two if his son takes after him and not Katara."

"Okay, so if you're from another world," BB started, "how did you get here?"

"I honestly don't know," Zuko answered, placing a hand on his head. "I was in bed and heard something, but I…I didn't see anything. I looked over at my wife, and the next thing I know, I was being forced to inhale his weird stuff that knocked me out."

"Most likely chloroform," Cyborg supplied.

"When I woke up, I was here."

"We must help you return home, then," Starfire stated. She floated towards him, saying, "You shall stay with us until you can be returned".

Robin stepped up to the redhead and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hang on, Star. You and Beast Boy stay here with Zuko. Raven, Cyborg, come with me." They followed him for about a block to make sure they were out of earshot of the Firebender. "What do you guys think of this guy?" Robin asked.

"He was telling the truth for the most part," said the empathy.

"Whadda ya mean 'for the most part'," asked Cyborg. "You sayin' he's been lyin' about something?"

Raven closed her eyes. "He knows why Slade brought him here. Whatever it is, it can't be good. He's trying hard to hide it, but he's scared; not just for himself, but his friends and family too."

"You think Slade's holding them hostage?"

"This is Slade we're talking about," Robin replied bitterly, his issue with Red X seemingly forgotten for the moment. "He's used hostages before to get what he wanted. I wouldn't put it past him to do it again."

Cyborg had no doubt the spiky-haired boy was remembering some very unpleasant memories of his time as the mad-man's apprentice. Robin had never told them everything he had gone through in the month he was gone, but the cybernetic teen had a feeling he didn't want to know; the truth would probably be enough to give them all nightmares fore a while.

"The question is," Cyborg started, not voicing his thoughts about his leader, "what does Slade want this time?"

Both males turned to Raven, who shrugged slightly. "His mind is too guarded for me to pick up on anything stronger than emotions."

"Then how did ya know he was lying?"

A hint of a smirk graced the goth's features as she answered, "he's just a bad liar". Raven's smile faded as quickly as it came. "Still, I don't trust him."

"Why's that?" Robin asked her. "Do you sense hostility or something?"

"No. But I can feel other things within him," she answered. "There are a lot of feelings he's trying to bury deep inside: great sadness, loss, pain, regret, shame. There're many bad things he's done that he wishes he hadn't"

"Well, at least the guy's remorseful," Cyborg offered. "That's more that what Slade's capable of."

Without a word, Robin headed back toward the trio, leaving the others to follow him. When they arrived, Zuko was examining Starfire's communicator while Beast Boy explained to him the epicness of video games.

"Dude, how do you people survive without video game? I would've died of boredom a long time ago if I didn't have any."

Zuko eyed the green Titan, annoyance barely concealed on his face and in his voice. "It's not that hard to live without something you've never heard of." He handed the communicator back to its owner when he spotted the others.

"Zuko," Robin started. "We'll do what we can to get you back home." He held up a hand to shush the squeal coming from an excited Starfire, and continued. "However, we need you to tell us everything." A pause. "And maybe help us out with criminals here and there."

The Firebender bowed once again, saying, "It would be my honor to help you in any way I can".